Gombe: Malam Khalid Umar, a public convenience owner in Gombe State, has successfully built a house and currently earns over N150,000 monthly from operating his facilities in the Gombe metropolis. Umar shared this achievement in an interview, highlighting how the business has supported his family's needs.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Umar has been in the public convenience business for 35 years, during which he has achieved significant milestones and invested his earnings into other ventures. He operates eight toilet rooms and nine bathrooms at the Gombe main market.
Umar stated that the business serves as his primary income source, enabling him to provide for his wife and eight children, all of whom are in school. He noted that his daily earnings range between N4,000 and N8,000, depending on business activity.
As the Chairman of Public Convenience Maintenance in Gombe State, Umar has furthered his education to obtain a diploma in Islamic Affairs, despite facing discrimination for his work. He advocates for investment in faecal waste management to enhance public health and create jobs.
Umar urged the state government and stakeholders to establish a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) in the state to treat waste from over 85 public toilet facilities, emphasizing its potential benefits for agriculture and soil health.